What is Astroturfing?
In American politics and advertising, the term astroturfing describes formal public relations projects which deliberately seek to engineer the impression of spontaneous, grassroots behavior (Wikipedia)
Anti-Astroturfing Code of Ethics
-The New PR – AntiAstroturfing
- I will not fabricate a public concern by paying or coercing individuals to falsely act as concerned citizens.
- When supporting grassroots efforts, I will ensure that I am transparent in all my actions and clearly and publicly state what actions I am taking and which organization or client I represent.
- I will never knowingly distort of falsify information to help my client/interest achieve a strategic/emotional advantage in a public debate.
- I will encourage all grassroots supporters to be open and honest in all of their communications, just as I will be open and honest in mine.
How You Can Make A Difference!
- Join the conversation - write against astroturfing on your blog or comment on the blog posts listed on this site
- Declare you and / your agency astroturf free
- Expose possible examples of astroturfing
- Link to anti-astroturfing websites and add your name to the list of supporters
- Call on your politicians to take tougher legislative action against astroturfing
- Call on your industry / professional association to speak out against astroturfing
- Encourage friends and colleagues to get involved
Next: Flogs!
